Sorkin has an incredible history of daddy issues. It’s one of the defining characteristics of his entire body of work. Examples:
- A Few Good Men: Tom Cruise is the son of a navy Admiral and brilliant attorney-general “You were bullied into that courtroom by the memory of a dead lawyer”, “I think my father would have enjoyed seeing me graduate law school.”
- The West Wing: Josh Lyman’s father died the night of the Illinois primary “‘My son won the Illinois Primary tonight’. Three more hours and he’d have been able to say that. He’d have been proud.” After Josh was shot Bartlett goes to church and asks of God “What was Josh Lyman? A warning shot? That was my son. What did I ever do to your’s except praise his name and praise his glory.”
There’s actually a movement to make Sorkin’s father to just say sorry damnit!! whatever he did…
Comment by Ally McLeod | 14/9/2006 warrenelliscom-comments

in fairness, everybody's got a dad and many want him to be proud of them.
maybe that's the best way to have any ambition, I say.